Estimates suggest that no more than half of A* students from last year’s cohort would achieve a 9 grade in the new exams.

While 4% of 16-year-olds achieved an A* in English language last year, along with 7% in maths, Ofqual has estimated that just 2% and 3% would gain 9 grades in the respective subjects this year.

This is the result of deliberate changes by the government to extend the grading system, thereby allowing greater differentiation between the brightest students.

But school leaders have warned that GCSE reforms are causing increased stress and anxiety for pupils amid a “rising tide of mental health issues among young people”, and that this was likely to intensify as more subjects switch to the new system.

Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) general secretary Geoff Barton, said: “The new GCSEs are more challenging, and there are more papers, and this is putting severe pressure on young people.

“We support a robust qualification system, but it has to be balanced against the welfare of young people, and we are not sure the balance in the new system is correct.”

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Some school leaders are worried about the effect the new, more challenging exams will have on students

According to Jameson, she had been expected to memorise two books, a play and 15 poems for her English literature exam, while the new GCSE maths course covered A Level material.

Writing three weeks before exams began, she said: “I see a group of kids slumped over desks with books closed and minds shut off to the work as well; we’re all exhausted. There is a healthy amount of challenge and stress but honestly I find this ridiculous.”